Nigeria will begin their qualification journey for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau following the official qualifying draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The draw, which maps out the path to the expanded 2027 finals jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, featured 48 countries split into four pots containing 12 teams each. Every group includes one side from each pot, while the top two teams in every group will advance to the finals.
Defending champions Morocco landed in Group A together with Gabon, Niger and Lesotho.
South Africa, encouraged by recent improvements under Hugo Broos, were also handed a favourable draw and will play in Group D.
One of the major talking points in Group D is the clash between South Africa and hosts Kenya, managed by former South African international Benni McCarthy, which adds an emotional dimension to the encounter.
Other standout fixtures include the heavyweight Group C showdown between Ghana and Ivory Coast, a rematch of the 2015 AFCON final.
The qualifying series is expected to kick off in September 2026 and continue through March 2027.
FULL DRAW – AFCON
Group A
Morocco
Gabon
Niger
Lesotho
Group B
Egypt
Angola
Malawi
South Sudan
Group C
Ivory Coast
Ghana
Gambia
Somalia
Group D
South Africa
Guinea
Kenya
Eritrea
Group E
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Sierra Leone
Zimbabwe
Group F
Burkina Faso
Benin
Mauritania
Central African Republic
Group G
Cameroon
Comoros
Namibia
Congo
Group H
Tunisia
Uganda
Libya
Botswana
Group I
Algeria
Zambia
Togo
Burundi
Group J
Senegal
Mozambique
Sudan
Ethiopia
Group K
Mali
Cape Verde
Rwanda
Liberia
Group L
Nigeria
Madagascar
Tanzania
Guinea-Bissau
